China East Technology Consultancy
The Silk Route Reimagined:
China–Türkiye Trade
As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to advance, cooperation between the two sides has steadily moved beyond traditional sectors like trade, natural resources, energy, and infrastructure. It now encompasses dynamic and fast-growing areas such as 5G technology, electric vehicles, biotechnology, medical innovation, autonomous rail systems, and renewable energy, unlocking even greater prospects for trade between China and Türkiye.
China–Turkey Tech & Production Line Exports via Turnkey Projects & Long-Term Partnerships
EV & Battery Tech
Chinese automakers such as Chery, BYD, and SAIC MG are not only exporting fully assembled vehicles to Turkey, but are also engaging in active discussions with the Turkish government and local partners to establish domestic production facilities .
Technology transfer focus: electric vehicle platform development, battery assembly processes, and stamping and welding manufacturing lines.
Communications & 5G Technology
Huawei collaborates with Turkcell and Türk Telekom to supply 5G infrastructure, optical transmission equipment, and related technical services. In addition, the company has set up an R&D center in Istanbul that focuses on developing localized artificial intelligence and 5G technologies, representing a broader effort in technology transfer.
Consumer Electronics
Türkiye has a robust consumer electronics manufacturing sector, exemplified by companies like Arçelik, a prominent home appliance brand in Europe. For many years, Chinese suppliers have played a key role in supporting this industry by providing essential components and production line technologies.
Technology Transfer Scope:
Compressor manufacturing lines, LCD panel supply, and associated technical support provided by BOE (Beijing Oriental Electronics).
Infrastructure and Heavy Machinery
-
Chinese companies have been involved in a range of major infrastructure projects in Türkiye—such as railways and ports—while also exporting engineering equipment and technical standards through these initiatives.
-
-
Technology Transfer Contents:
-
Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs): Advanced TBM technology, previously supplied to Turkey by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, including equipment design, manufacturing expertise, and operational know-how.
-
High-Speed Rail Carriage Manufacturing: Technology for the production of high-speed rail vehicles, building on prior exports of light rail systems and assembly support provided to Türkiye by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive.
Turnkey Proects
-
Chinese companies have carried out turnkey projects in Türkiye—typically EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contracts that integrate design, procurement, and construction—across a range of sectors, including energy, mining, transportation, and renewable energy.
-
-
Oil & Gas Storage; The Tuz Lake Underground Natural Gas Storage Expansion Project is being carried out as an EPC project by Chinese companies, including CAMC and TTC.
-
Energy (Power); Hunutlu Coal Power Plant is the largest direct investment project undertaken by Chinese enterprises in Türkiye. The China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) acted as the EPC contractor, delivering the world’s largest coal–solar hybrid power plant in terms of installed capacity, combining coal-fired generation with photovoltaic energy.
Turnkey Proects
-
Mining (Coal Mine); TTK Karadon Coal Mine EPC Project: China Coal Mining Construction Group (CCMC) delivered a turnkey EPC solution encompassing mining operations, civil works, and safety systems, including the extension of mine shafts and the construction of shaft towers.
-
Renewable Energy (Energy Storage); Kalyon Energy Storage Lithium Battery Pack Production Line: CETC International delivered Türkiye's first fully domestically manufactured 1 GWh lithium battery pack production line for energy storage. The project followed a comprehensive “technology + engineering + turnkey production line” approach, ensuring that all design, process development, and acceptance procedures were entirely localized within China.
-
Transportation (Tunnels); Istanbul’s Sariyer–Kilyos Highway Tunnel: China Railway Equipment Group (CREG) completed excavation of the project’s critical section using its domestically developed “CREG 1294” tunnel boring machine.
CHINA & TÜRKİYE TRADE VOLUME
In 2024, China ranked as Türkiye’s third-largest trading partner and its top source of imports, with imports from China reaching US$40 billion. Chinese direct investment in Türkiye surpassed US$7 billion, and more than 1,200 Chinese companies are currently operating in the country.
As a transcontinental trade hub bridging Europe and Asia, Turkey recorded a GDP of US$1.4 Trillion and USD3.8 Trillion PPP in 2024 , with industrial products making up 94.2% of its exports. Supported by a resilient supply chain, Chinese goods have played a vital role in Turkey’s market recovery. Meanwhile, China’s comprehensive industrial system is well-positioned to meet Turkey’s needs, enabling a highly efficient match between supply and demand.